A Life, Lived

Travel Tuesdays - Victoria

I am sure this comes as a complete shock to you given that I am in Victoria for meetings! :-)

Found in Victoria

The city of Nanaimo is not far from Victoria. Nanaimo is famous for many things but many Canadians would quickly list Nanaimo Bars as one of the city's happiest contributions to the Canadian culinary scene.

These are a popular Canadian treat consisting of 3 layers, a cracker crumb and chocolate base, a custard flavored filling and then they’re finished with a chocolate coating.

I ate plenty of these at Christmas when I was a kid - both my grandmothers and my mom would make a pan so there was always plenty to enjoy wherever I was.

While I have been in Victoria I have found a few interesting variations on the treat.

Yesterday I discovered Nanaimo Bar gelato:

Yes, that dish of gelato is sitting on a Rogers Chocolates bag. I found the original store from 1903 and bought a big bag of treats! Paul is in for some treats.

The today I made the most exciting find of all . . . wait for it . . .

A Nanaimo Bar ice cream bar!!! It was just sitting in the freezer in the hotel coffee shop with some other treats. I can not believe I have been in every day so far and not had one before today.

Wasted opportunities kids. This ice cream bar is on the list of the best things I hare eaten - it is that good!

Victoria

The National General Secretaries meeting is in Victoria BC this year. When I was making my arrangements I decided to tack on two extra days so that I could explore the city a bit before I was stuck in meetings.

I was last in Victoria about 40 years ago. I think it was a day trip. See - it was so long ago I don't even remember THAT! I remember the legislature, flowers, taking the ferry over from Vancouver, and totem poles. 53 year old Jerry was convinced there might be a bit more.

When I got home from the office on Friday I packed (although Beckett wasn't so sure I should be going anywhere).

I had to head to the airport early Saturday morning for my 8:30 flight.

SIGH

It seemed smart at the time.

Anyway. The airport was the airport. The flight was the usual.

I arrived in Victoria, retrieved my luggage, hopped in a cab and headed into the city centre. It was an expensive cab ride - $ 60. Thank goodness for an expense account.

The meeting is being held at the Hotel Grand Pacific. It is a chain out of Asia I believe. It is one of the few hotels right on the Inner Harbour, and next to the landmark BC Legislature and Parliament Buildings, the Hotel Grand Pacific is just two blocks from Victoria’s downtown restaurant and shopping district, and five blocks from Fisherman’s Wharf—a working harbor surrounded by an array of casual food counters, unique shops, and water adventures including kayaking and whale watching. Lots of opportunities for exploring.

I checked in but my room wasn't ready so I stored my luggage and planned on heading out. There was a pressing thing first - my phone was dead and needed to be charged. Funny how you can't travel these days without your various travel apps to help you out. I sat in the lobby until I had a decent charge and then I was off.

Victoria is a beautiful spot. I wandered aimlessly until I found Chinatown and a restaurant for dim sum.

While I was eating I had a text from the hotel - my room was ready. I headed back to the hotel to get settled and have a much needed nap!

Later I chatted with Paul. Found a store where I could get some wine and sat on my balcony watching the sun set over the mountains.

Arrivederci Dante . . .

So the last few weeks have been sucky and today I'm feeling sad. :-(

We said goodbye to this guy last Tuesday morning.

Dante hadn't been himself for the past 6 weeks. The vet suspected kidney issues but didn't think it was too serious.

The biggest challenge was getting him to eat. He was just wasting away.

On Monday night he seemed to be in some distress.

We took him to the animal hospital where he spent the night having tests and stuff. Turns out it was serious.

I spoke to the vet in the morning and kept asking about things we might do - finally she said 'Jerry, these are all more for you than for Dante and the quality of his life.'

So we made that tough decision that pet owners are often tasked to make.

We showed up at the hospital, visited Dante for a bit, then I held him in my arms and said goodbye as he received the needles.

SIGH

Dante was 'my' cat.

He greeted me at the front door when I arrived home from work.

He was quirky. He was unpredictable. He could turn from affectionate to viscous in an instant.

He was usually near where I was.

Every night he'd climb up on my pillow and sleep above my head. More often than not he decided to 'groom' me. LOL

When I stepped out of the shower in the morning there he would be waiting for me.

Now he is not.

Beckett has been quite out of sorts since Dante died. They were rarely really, really close to one another . . . like in this photo.

but I guess it was just close enough that Beckett really misses the attention now.

Dante was a great cat. Now he is gone and there is a huge hole in our lives.

Remember to let your loved ones, feline, canine, or otherwise, know how much you appreciate them because you never know when you'll be separated.

Good bye buddy, you are missed.

Travel Tuesday - Niagara on the Lake

Last week was our anniversary and we had a min-getaway to Niagara on the Lake. One of Canada's more historic towns, Niagara on the Lake was once the capital of Upper Canada. Unfortunately, the town's close proximity to the US meant it was also the target of many raids lead by the disgruntled colonists. Eventually the capital moved to York (Toronto).

Niagara on the Lake used to be a rather sleepy place until a theatre company set up shop. Then a woman from Hong Kong bought up a number of historic properties and turned them into fabulous hotels. In the last 20 years the wine industry has taken off in the area. All in all this is no longer a sleepy town. Buses drop off tourists at the fort and they throng the downtown.

This weekend was the start of the season so we were able to visit before things got too crazy.

I walked around early Friday morning and practically had the town to myself.

Happy Victoria Day!

The first long weekend of the summer season . . . Victoria Day is in honour of Queen Victoria (duh). Canadians gather around the BBQ, drink beer, and light fireworks.

We invited mom over for a BBQ but she is busy. I guess we will BBQ on our own. LOL

Relaxation

Grilled Flank Steak Tacos with Avocado-Lime Salsa

This was another of the menu items from our Cinco de Mayo dinner. It is a LONG way from those tacos in a crispy shell which we would have when we were younger. These tacos are fresh, with an interesting contrast of flavours and textures.

Chili and chipotle powders lend earthy, smoky flavors to the grilled beef. For milder flavor, use ancho chile powder in place of the hot chipotle. The spice rub would also work nicely on chicken breasts. Here is really livens up a cheap cut of beef.

Grilled Flank Steak Tacos with Avocado-Lime Salsa

Steak:
1 flank steak trimmed (about 1 pound)
1 Tbs. chili powder
2 tsp. grated lime rind
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. chipotle chile powder (use ancho chile powder for a milder flavor)
1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
Cooking Spray

Salsa:
1 c. diced peeled avocado
3/4 c. finely chopped tomato
1/3 c. finely chopped Vidalia or other sweet onion
1/4 c. chopped fresh cilantro
1/2 tsp. grated lime rind
2 Tbs. fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce

Remaining Ingredients:
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
2 c. very thinly sliced green cabbage

To prepare steak, combine chile powder, lime rind, salt, chipotle chile powder, and black pepper in a small bowl.

Score a diamond pattern on both sides of steak and rub seasoning in bowl over steak.

Cover and chill for 1 hour

Prepare grill to medium-high heat

Place steak on grill rack coated with cooking spray.  Grill 8 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

Remove from heat, let stand 10 minutes

Cut steak diagonally across grain into thin slices

To prepare salsa, combine avocado and next 7 ingredients (through pepper sauce) in a medium bowl.

Warm tortillas according to package directions

Spoon steak mixture evenly over each of 8 tortillas and top each taco with 1/4 c. salsa and a 1/4 c. cabbage.

Makes 4 servings (serving size: 2 tacos)

Happy Anniversary!

It is sort of weird.

Today is both our 19th anniversary and our 1st anniversary.

We met 19 years ago and always celebrated the day we met as our anniversary. Then last year we decided to do something special on our 'champagne anniversary' and had a surprise wedding at home.

I guess it does not really matter - it is just a number!

Travel Tuesday - Venice

Friends of ours are in Venice right now.

While I love following my friends on their travel adventures it certainly gets me hankering for a return visit.

The closest I will get to Venice this year is pouring through my pics . . .